Study ceramics abroad with Craft/Material Studies in Florence, May 19-June 20, 2026
Exploring Florence: Ceramics and Culture
Apply Here by February 15th
Scholarship Opportunities Here
The Global Education Office and the Department of Craft/Material Studies, in collaboration with Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA), are proud to present a unique, month-long opportunity to live, explore, and create in Florence, the birthplace of Italian Renaissance majolica ceramics.
Study abroad this summer in Florence, Italy, and immerse yourself in an in-depth program focusing on low-fire ceramics and majolica. You won’t just study in the ceramic studio; you’ll spend a month being an active part of the city, experiencing the rich culture of Florence and transforming this historical setting into your temporary home and direct inspiration for your ceramic work.
The program includes field trips to Portovenere, Lucca or San Gimignano (which city yet tbt), Montelupo Fiorentino, a Uffizi Museum Card and offers optional organized trips to Venice and Chianti, as well as local cultural events in Florence.
Program Director: Elissa Armstrong, Associate Professor, Craft/Material Studies, School of the Arts, ecarmstrong@vcu.edu
The GEO liaison for this program is Julia Wells, Global Learning Specialist. If you have any questions, please email Julia wellsj7@vcu.edu
Note this program includes two, 3-credit courses and will be capped at 12 students: CRAF 391: Florence Ceramics Studio & CRAF 391: Fieldwork in Florence (total: 6 transfer credits)
Course Descriptions
CRAF 391: Florence Ceramics Studio: majolica and earthenware (3 credits), instructor: Elissa Armstrong. Held in the historic heart of Florence, Italy, the birthplace of Italian Renaissance majolica, this hands-on ceramic studio course introduces students to the fundamentals of this historic glaze and surface decoration technique. Throughout the course students will investigate the vibrant color palettes, forms, and decorative imagery of historical Florentine majolica, as well as conduct a range of studio material tests and guided research. Using this research—and their direct experiences in the city as a source of inspiration—students will create a series of contemporary hand-built earthenware majolica pieces. The course balances technical skill-building with conceptual development, challenging students to connect historical precedents with contemporary studio applications.
CRAF 391: Fieldwork in Florence: Exploring the city through ceramics and culture (3 credits), Instructor: Elissa Armstrong. This on-site research course immerses students in the culture of Florence, utilizing the city’s historical art and material culture as a direct and tangible source of inspiration for their ceramic studio practices. Students will explore the city and local region through class museum and site visits, architectural explorations and personal research, with a specific focus on the tradition of Italian majolica. Maintaining a dedicated research sketchbook throughout the course, students will document their observations through detailed notes, and sketches, recording their experiences in the city. This observational research is both a comprehensive record of artwork, architecture, and cultural immersion, and a vital source of research and inspiration for students’ ceramic studio work.
Eligibility
This program is only open to VCU students. Students are required to be in the School of the Art, Art and Design or Craft/Material Studies. Eligible students should have completed the Art Foundation program.
The program fee is $5,075 and includes the following:
- Pre-departure orientation
- Housing
- Welcome dinner
- Student exhibition at the end of the course
- Day trip to Lucca/San Gimignano with guided tour
- Two, 1 day trips to Montelupo Fiorentino, historically significant ceramic site
- Day trip to Portovenere
- Uffizi Museum Card
- CISI international health and emergency assistance insurance plan
- VCU $450 Education Abroad Administration Fee
- VCU faculty travel expenses
- Tuition is included in the program fee. Students will receive 6 transfer credits for all coursework completed in this program. In order to receive credit, students must earn the equivalent of a C or better.
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- Airfare
- Transportation to apartment after arrival and transportation to airport upon departure
- Bed sheets and bath towels. Linens are not provided.
- Personal expenses during the program
- Passport application or renewal fee, if applicable
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Additional optional excursions are organized by SRISA for summer students. These trips include transportation, onsite coordination, and some entrance fees
Chianti 1-day trip, $135 per participant*
This is a trip to a winery in a scenic 1,000+ year old castle in the Tuscan hills. It includes a lunch with a guided wine tasting. Chianti is the famous countryside of Tuscany that students have seen in books and on screens. Cameras and sketchbooks are encouraged!
Venice 3-day/2-night trip, $545* per participant*
This is an overnight trip and includes an excursion to the island of Burano, along with visiting the Venice Biennale during biennale years (like 2026!). It’s otherwise filled with plenty of free time for everyone to explore and experience the parts of Venice they wish on their own, with many recommendations from us.
*Prices are for budgeting purposes and subject to change based on fluctuating market rates. To be confirmed in Spring 2026.
Questions? Contact the GEO liaison for this program, Julia Wells, Global Learning Specialist, wellsj7@vcu.edu
